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Natasha's
life doesn't solely revolve around her desire
to beat out the competition on the track.
She places just as much emphasis on her
studies.
Academics
and Athletics Go Hand-in-Hand
By
Rebecca Vara
May 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Imagine
your alarm going off five days a week at
5:30 in the morning to prepare for a full
day of lectures and labs, followed by a
tough and intense two-hour track practice.
And, if that's not enough, having to dash
home by 8 p.m. to put in homework time so
that you can make the bed your final destination
at 10 p.m.
Whew....are
you out of breath yet? Welcome to Natasha
Hastings' world! Sure, it seems like a super-tight
schedule that would wear down the most energized
student-athlete, but Natasha, a
sophomore track star at Randolph High School,
New York, NY,
is taking it all in stride. Having self-discipline
and developing a schedule to maximize her
time, creates a winning climate in both
capacities, she says. "My
mom doesn't play around [when it comes to
my] homework. She has taught me to be disciplined
with my studies in order to help with my
athletics," adds Natasha.
Not
only does this girl fly on the track, but
this girl has smarts, too! "Natasha
knows in order to be a top-notch athlete,
she must maintain her studies and be a well-rounded
student," says Phyllis Anderson, the
girls track coach at Randolph. That's why
the coach set up tutoring
schedules and group study sessions
to assist Natasha and her teammates if they're
having any trouble with their studies. "I
feel [the girls] are students first,"
Anderson
explains.
However, she's confident in Natasha's abilities.
"For her young age, Natasha is outgoing,
friendly, serious, competitive, and mature
on the track, as well as in the classroom."
Natasha,
whose favorite subjects are math and science,
is happy to report that she's doing
well academically,
so much so that she's got her heart set
on going to college. And,
the sky is certainly the limit for this
stellar sprinter who broke the national
record in the 300 meter this past February
with a time of 37.73. Aside from concentrating
on her academics, Natasha is working toward
making the 2004 Olympic trials.
Anderson
doesn't see this as a far-fetched dream,
either. However, she believes
student-athletes like Natasha have to keep
several things in mind as they climb the
academic ladder.
"Student-athletes
must keep their priorities in line and
always remember the values your parents
taught you, then follow them to reach your
individual goals,"
she explains.
Don't
be surprised if you see Natasha's name illuminating
in lights like her favorite track star and
Olympian, Marion Jones. With the determination
and will to succeed that she's set in motion
for herself, it seems she can cross any
finish line.
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